If the Rays do not come back and win this game over the A’s today – it will be the first time the Rays have been swept in a 4 game series in Oakland.  The Rays have been outscored 26-10 in the 1st 3 games of the series and this Athletics team has the 2nd lowest OPS in the American League.  If this afternoon’s score holds…the Rays will go to 4-10, but more importantly in those 14 games (and don’t forget they are just finishing up the 1st inning as I type this) the Rays have allowed 74 runs in those 13 games plus an inning.  74!  The strength of this team is starting pitching, but unfortunately for them – those starters have no room for error.  During that same stretch – the Rays offense has only produced 41 runs.  It has almost gotten so bad that the starting pitchers body language can be read on the mound…and they know if they allow 1 run (especially the 1st one) the game is over and they will get the loss.

I was at the New York Yankees game back on July 20th when the Yankees won 4-0.  David Price started the game and went 7+ strong innings, but he gave up a leadoff single to start the game to Derek Jeter and then Curtis Granderson followed with a bomb to right…2-0 Yanks.  And you just got the feeling the game was over right there (I in fact turned to my wife and brother and told them – this game’s over) and unfortunately – I wasn’t kidding.  But you just see it in the players body language.

I am still surprised that Johnny Damon, Kyle Farnsworth & Casey Kotchman are still playing for the Rays.  Farnsworth & Damon should be gone for sure within the next 48 hours.  Why didn’t I mention BJ Upton?  Oh, he’s going – there is no doubt in my mind…in fact, everyone I talked to – it’s almost 75/25 that BJ gets traded – it’s not even 50/50 anymore.  I am still betting on the Washington Nationals stepping up and sending SS Ian Desmond and C Wilson Ramos for BJ Upton and if the Nats do that – the Rays have to say yes!

I’m hoping the Rays do not trade James Shields because that gives Tampa the best starting staff in the AL East going into the 2012 season with David Price, Jeremy Hellickson and I would assume Matt Moore.  But the Rays MUST go out and make a big splash via the free agent market (Jose Reyes or Prince Fielder) or via trade this upcoming off season, because if they don’t – this frustrating 2011 season will be Deja Vu in 2012.

Let us know what you think of these moves in the comment section of this post!

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“The Royals have interest in Upton with an eye on contending next year.”  it’s not that Sherman wrote it…it’s that the Royals think they can compete next year.  Now that’s hilarious!

Let us know what you think of these moves in the comment section of this post!

Follow me on Twitter @Stelzy!  Also, ‘Like’ RaysCentral.com on Facebook and please send any questions or comments you might have via Twitter or FB – I will respond to all!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/nationals-trade-deadline-ryan-zimmerman-on-bj-upton-updates-on-ian-desmond-jason-marquis-livan-hernandez/2011/07/23/gIQAsSvrVI_blog.html

First things First: Cut/trade/designate/option/just do something I don’t care what you call it, but quit pitching J.P. Howell…he has killed and is still killing this team!

Obviously, all of the smoke out there on the internet involves James Shields, BJ Upton, Johnny Damon & Kyle Farnsworth…so why go away from that??  Where’ there’s smoke – there’s fire – and something is going to go down – and I get the feeling it’s BIG!  I really can’t come up with a trade that anyone could care about….what are the Rays really going to get in return for a 37 year old DH that is a liablity in the outfield and his best hit is a backspin blooper that drops in for a hit 25% of the time.

Yesterday, I came up with my own James Shields trade that involved the St. Louis Cardinals…today, I am going to walk through the smoke.  There are reports that the Rays have been hanging around (ok, scouting) the Cincinnati Reds minor league games on a daily basis.  Look, it stinks, this game is a business.  But your job as a GM is to sell when the stock of a certain player is at its highest point – and right now, that is exactly where Shields is at.  Let me give you an example…can you imagine what the Rays could have got in return for BJ Upton after the 2008 playoffs?    What will the Rays get for him now?  Exactly!  Back to Shields – he is not even 1 year removed from a 13-15 season with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP – yeah that’s how bad his numbers were in 2010.  Now Big Game James is an ace in the AL EAST and if he would go to the NL Central and do what he is doing now, because of Adam Wainwright’s Tommy John surgery back in March, becomes the best pitcher in the NL Central and may rival any pitcher in the National League, yes including Roy Halladay.

Here is the Proposal I am making and that the Rays should be making as well:

The Rays send

James Shields

The Reds send

1B Yonder Alonso – the guy has been ready for a year now, but is blocked by some guy named Joey Votto (I guess this Joey guy won the MVP last year)

C  Devin Mesoraco - Dear GM Andrew Friedman – DO NOT SETTLE FOR Yasmani Grandal for a couple reasons.  #1.  Reds GM Walt Jocketty does not care/worry about top prospects, trust me, I grew up a Cardinals fan and during his long tenure with the team…I don’t know if St. Louis brought along 1 prospect to make an impact in the Major Leagues during his time as GM outside of Albert Pujols.  Jim Edmonds, Edgar Renteria, Scott Rolen, Adam Wainwright – all brought from trades.  So Walt will pay to get his guy…and Shields will give the Reds an ace alongside Johnny Cueto.  #2.  Mesoraco will hit for power and I mean BIG TIME power and you hit him 4th behind Longo and Alonso 5th – now you got a little somethin somethin going with Ben Zobrist hitting in the 2 hole and Desmond Jennings hitting at the top of the lineup starting in 2012.

RHP Kyle Lotzkar – Throws low to mid 90′s gas and has a curveball he is comfortable throwing at 2 different speeds.  Injuries are a concern (multiple elbow surgeries), but is worth the gamble.

This deal I honestly believe has a shot to go down.  Tampa’s lineup immediately improves significantly and Matt Moore steps right in to the 6 man rotation that Joe Maddon should implement here within the next couple weeks.  Price, Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis, Niemann, Alex Cobb & Matt Moore.  This way you still keep the innings down on all these prized young arms.  Andrew and Joe…I know you are reading this – you guys are daily readers of Rays Central (please tell me readers, you can read the sarcasm between each letter I am typing here), just do this trade…it cannot come back to hurt you…both of these guys, Alonso & Mesoraco will hit and James is sent to the NL which is as good as it can get in this situation.

There are rumors flying that BJ Upton may have been traded after the game….STAY TUNED on that story!  Nothing official…it was just speculation, but BJ was pulled in the 7th inning of the game tonight!  The most smoke had BJ heading to the Philadelphia Phillies for 3 pitching prospects…I will say it again….NOTHING is OFFICIAL!!  Anyone else hearing anything out there…if so…let us know i nthe comment section!

Let us know what you think of these moves in the comment section of this post!

Follow me on Twitter @Stelzy!  Also, ‘Like’ RaysCentral.com on Facebook and please send any questions or comments you might have via Twitter or FB – I will respond to all!

The New York Yankees 2011 payroll $202,689,028 – #1 payroll in the Majors

The Boston Red Sox 2011 payroll $161,762,475 – #3 payroll in the majors

Look at that again.  The Rays trail the Red Sox by more than $120 Million and the Yankees by more than $160 Million…the Red Sox and Yankees spend 4-5 times the amount the Rays do and they are struggling to eliminate this team from playoff contention.  Which fan base do you think should be frustrated and which fan base should be backing their organization 100%??

Fine…you think the Rays should spend more – I agree, but the stadium needs to be filled more than 20k-25,000 a night to make that happen.  And please don’t tell me about stadium issues and blah blah blah.  To be honest…I have been to The Trop and to be honest – I absolutely enjoyed myself.  I wasn’t baking in 100 degree heat, the beer was cold, the dogs tasted great and every Rays player gives 100% every game (except for BJ Upton, of course…but obviously if BJ gives 100% 6o% of the time – that is ok with the organization).

I grew up watching the St. Louis Cardinals and I’m still a die-hard Redbirds fan…and I would give ANYTHING for the Cardinals to have GM Andrew Friedman and Manager Joe Maddon running the Cardinals organization rather than Mozeliak and Larussa.

Another thing Rays fans should be looking at.  The Rays best player in franchise history, Carl Crawford, signed with the Boston Red Sox.  Yes, that was his choice…but he didn’t HAVE to sign with a division rival…he was offered a huge contract from the Los Angeles Angels as well.  The Rays closer from 2010, Rafael Soriano, also signed with a division rival, the New York Yankees.  So the Red Sox add the Rays most dynamic player to an already sick lineup and they are still worrying about a team with a $41 Million Dollar payroll in late July.

Next thing that needs to be looked at.  How do the Yankees and Red Sox farm system look.  With the payroll the Rays have – I would say it is UNBELIEVABLE that they are still in this race.  How would you like to be a Yankees fan and know at this point, if you make the playoffs with your $200 Million Dollar + payroll…your starting pitching IN THE PLAYOFFS with THAT PAYROLL after CC Sabathia is AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and if he’s healthy, Phil Hughes.  That to me, is the most embarrassing thing in Major League Baseball.  The team with a $200+ Million Dollar payroll has one legitimate starting pitcher.  ONE!!

The Rays have David Price (Ace)…and please don’t tell me he hasn’t been as dominant, blah, blah, blah – did you not see his performance last night?  James Shields (Ace) and a hot trade commodity, Jeremy Hellickson (would already be a #2 on most teams in MLB).

Another thing…the Rays record is 52-45 while playing in the AL EAST!!  They have to play the Red Sox & Yankees 18 times EACH year!  How much better would the Rays record be if they were to play the Oakland A’s & the Seattle Mariners 18 times a year in the AL West or basically any other division in baseball?  Are you all forgetting that???  On that note…Rays fans don’t come out and watch the Yankees and Red Sox…can you imagine if they had to play the A’s and Mariners 9 times each year…then how much lower would the Rays payroll have to be.  If The Trop is filled – I guarantee the Rays would be in the mix for big time free agents in the offseason, heck, Carl Crawford would probably still be playing here.  But, until The Trop is 75-80% filled…no one can complain about payroll.  We should be patting this team on the back for even being competitive in the AL East.  All anyone talked about at the beginning of 2011 was the Baltimore Orioles – and how are those 39 wins looking right now??  By the way…the O’s payroll – $ 85,304,038 (more than double the Rays).

This team is competitive with Evan Longoria having his worst year, but he is battling through foot issues.  What other quality MLB bats are in this lineup that would start for other teams…BJ Upton,  Ben Zobrist & maybe Casey Kotchman (who is having a career year).  Matt Joyce would start in some places, but like I said – he is the worst  All Star selection in the history of the All Star game.  You do know Joyce’s average was .377 on June 1st!?  He is a roll player that had one of the hottest month’s ever and he still only has 43 RBI’s hitting in an RBI spot in the order.  There is a reason he hit .252, .188 & .241 from 2008-2010, respectively and had 25 career homeruns in his 3 seasons in the Majors.  Joyce has 6 homeruns and 21 RBI’s outside the month of May.  So, like I said, Joyce is a 4th outfielder at BEST on any other team in baseball and he hits 7th for 80% of teams.  And no, Damon is too old and does not produce the way a DH needs to – so he is not a factor either.

The Rays are still in the race with their Shortstops being Reid Brignac & Elliot Johnson and they would be in AAA with any other organization.  Their Catcher…don’t get me started.  Sean Rodriguez is the second baseman.  It is unbelievable that this team is within striking distance.  But just like from 2008-2010 – I think making the playoffs with this team rather than “BUYING” your way into the playoffs is much more satisfying.  From what I heard on sports radio – most fans think the Rays are more than a couple players away from being competitive in this division.  Why?  I know it won’t happen, but if this team would splurge in the offseason and just add 2 bats, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes – and you add those sticks with this pitching staff – you don’t think the Rays are a contender for the AL East?  You’re crazy?  Will it happen – No!  But it just shows that this team is not far away at all.  And…I will say this – that kind of offseason splash has happened before – the Red Sox added Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford in the same offseason!

So, before you call in to another sports radio station and go off on this team – why not look at the positives at what Friedman and Maddon have done with the resources they have been given, rather than tearing them down and saying I don’t care anymore – the Buccaneers are back anyway!

Johnny Damon, 37 years old and shouldn’t have been signed for the league minimum this past offseason, no less $5.25 Million.  He is hitting .275 with embarrassing DH numbers of 9 homeruns and 41 RBI’s & a .322 OBP.  Not good numbers for a DH and especially poor numbers for a lead off man…trade him for a bucket of batting practice balls ASAP and let the Desmond Jennings era begin when DJ gets healthy.  Give Brandon Guyer a shot until then.

Kyle Farnsworth, 35 years old and is arguably having the best season of his career.  Kyle is 3-1 with a 1.89 ERA with 27 strikeouts, only 7 walks & a 0.92 WHIP.  A more than reasonable $2.6 Million salary for 2011 and a $3.3 Million option in 2012.  But you sell a player when his stock is high…and Kyle’s stock is as high as it has ever been!  Farnsworth pitched for the Yankees in 2006-2008, so he has experience of dealing with the pressure that comes with pitching for the Yankees.  But I also see him possibly ending up with the Texas Rangers as insurance and a setup guy for Neftali Feliz.

James Shields & BJ Upton – Both are going to be very expensive, by Rays standards in 2012 – Shields goes up to $7 Million.  So…with that said – I am going to throw something out there and I would really like to know your thoughts.  What if the Rays send Shields, BJ and a prospect to the Texas Rangers for Rightfielder Nelson Cruz and 2nd Baseman Ian Kinsler?  Look, I know it is unrealistic…but it does fit….the Rangers get an ace to pair with CJ Wilson and their lack of CF production improves and defense gets better immediately with BJ Upton.  And to make this deal – I would add the #3 prospect in the Rays organization, starting pitcher Chris Archer, to get this deal done – heck, throw in Farnsworth too.  How much better does this improve the Rays offense immediately.

If the Rays would make these moves above – their lineup could be

2B Kinsler

RF Ben Zobrist

3B Longoria

LF Cruz

1B Casey Kotchman – don’t trade him – great glove

Does it really matter after this?  These 5 hitters will produce more than the 9 they have in the lineup now!

Yes, the loss of Shields hurts, but this team has Matt Moore more than ready and Jeremy Hellickson is already a #2 starting pitcher on 75% of starting staffs in Major League Baseball.

Other players that should be moved that may get the Rays a dozen Rawlings baseballs: Joel Peralta & Juan Cruz

J.P. Howell throws left handed and is horrible, but he throws left handed – so a contender would want him on their roster, because he throws left handed – even though he can’t get anyone out (but he can get thrown out by umpires), but he throws left handed!

Let us know what you think of these moves in the comment section of this post!

Follow me on Twitter @Stelzy!  Also, ‘Like’ RaysCentral.com on Facebook and please send any questions or comments you might have via Twitter or FB – I will respond to all!

But this does bring up obvious questions.

#1.  Does this mean the Rays are close or looking to move current CF BJ Upton?

It could.  But you could also put Rasmus in Rightfield.  Would any ball drop in the gaps if you have Sam Fuld in LF, Upton in CF & Rasmus in RF…those 3 would make the Rays pitching even better than it is already.

#2.  If a trade for Rasmus happens – does that mean Johnny Damon or Matt Joyce are on the move?

You would definitely think so.  Damon is on a 1 year deal and is way overpaid.  Heck – if you can get a 42 round draft pick in the year 2024…do it!  Joyce, per MLB contracts, is only making $426, 000 and his 1st year of arbitration starts next year and isn’t a free agent until 2016.  That just doesn’t sound right to me – but let’s go with it.  Look, I know Matt had a career year in the month of May…but he is a 4th outfielder at best.  But, with the money strapped Rays, they have to keep running him out there and hope the blind squirrel can find a nut every once in a while. All I keep saying to myself about Joyce – “All-Star” LOL!!!

#3.  Who would the Rays possibly trade to get Rasmus?

Before I jump into this question – I need to say this…I am a die-hard Cardinals and Rays fan (but I did grow up in St. Louis).  But, dear Rays GM Andrew Friedman – DO NOT trade Matt Moore for Rasmus.  You are saying no way they do that…well…crazy things happen when you are in the middle of a fight for a division title.  Just ask the Atlanta Braves what they received in return on a trade deadline deal for Doyle Alexander…some minor leaguer named John Smoltz.  Just sayin.  I would even be okay with Chris Archer or Jake McGee, not Matt Moore.  I think Archer is overrated…now McGee I like.  But think about…how many shut down closers are there really in the Major Leagues?  Just look at who starts the season as a closer for organizations and then look who finishes the season as the closer.  I will bet at least 50% of MLB teams have changed closers at some point throughout the season.  Mariano Rivera is an exception – very, very few rough patches while being a closer for 15-20 years.

I would love to see the Rays make a move like this.  Rasmus has a manager in Tony Larussa that gives young players ZERO confidence – and in all honesty, I think Larussa may have ruined this top prospect’s career because of all the mind games he has played with the kid.  With Maddon, Joe would run Rasmus out there everyday without question.  Plus, Maddon will praise Colby when he does something right and that may be all Rasmus needs to become the star all the scouts thought he was going to be.

I’m sure most Rays fans can name the player who has the most hits in a Tampa uniform…he is now a trader/enemy – Carl Crawford.  Crawford had 1480 hits in his Rays career.  In fact, Crawford holds almost all offensive categories for the Rays, including batting average (.296), doubles (215), triples (105), RBI’s (592) & stolen bases (409).  But, Rays fans, who has the 2nd most hits in franchise history?  Answer later in the post.

BJ Upton has the 3rd most hits in Rays history with 705, Fred McGriff has 603 hits to sit in 4th place in team history and Julio Lugo rounds out the top 5 with 550.  JULIO LUGO!!??  How sad was this franchise?  Current players of note…Evan Longoria sits in 8th place with 508 hits and Ben Zobrist in 10th with 473 hits.  Zobrist is already 30 (a late bllomer) so 3000 hits would be out of the question for him, but Longoria has a shot.  But a couple things would need to happen…Evan would have to stay healthy, which he is struggling to do early in his career and that is not a good sign as you get older.  Second, he will have to hit for a higher average, but I still believe that is on the front office.  They need to acquire a bat who can protect your franchise player/hitter, just like the St. Louis Cardinals did a couple years ago.  The Cardinals traded for Matt Holliday to protect Albert Pujols and then also signed Holliday to a long term deal.  I completely agreed with the Rays not offering Carl Crawford the kind of money the Boston Red Sox offered.  Crawford is a speed guy and at 29…well – read between the lines.

Let’s move on to the sexy category, homeruns.  Carlos Pena is the franchise leader in homeruns with 144 (I think Pena had 146 hits in his career with the Rays…he is the Dave Kingman of this generation).  Aubrey Huff sits in 2nd with 128, Crawford is 3rd with 104, McGriff with 99 is in 4th and then Longoria is in 5th with 93.  Barring injury, Longoria will have the 3rd most homeruns by the end of 2011 and then could possibly be the Rays all time leader in homeruns by some point during the 2012 season.  I don’t think 3000 hits is realistic for Longo, but 400-500 homeruns definitely is a possibility as long as he stays with the Rays – and heck, if Tampa even stays in existence.

Answer to the trivia question: Aubrey Huff

.

And then there is Ben Zobrist who plays every position on the field, heck he is probably the Head Athletic Trainer AND the Team Doctor.  He probably is the most versatile player in the Majors, but versatility will not get you to the Mid Summer Classic either.  Zobrist is hitting .268 with 9 homers and 38 RBI’s – but unfortunately for him and the Rays – I think he did all of that in a doubleheader earlier in the year.  BJ Upton is hitting .218, nuff said there.

Now what is more embarrassing…that Johnny Damon is 5th in the DH voting (how sad are the DH’s in the AL if JD is the 5th best DH) or that Jorge Posada is in 3rd…pick your poison.  Pretty much if you voted for either of these 2, your All-Star voting license should be suspended for life.  Major League Baseball should research anyone’s email address that voted for Damon and/or Posada and they should eliminate them from the system!

Like I have been saying since I took over this blog a long time ago (what was it…Saturday or Sunday) – it is absolutely incredible that Rays Manager Joe Maddon has this team at 40-33.  Seriously – 1 word – HOW?????

Obviously Starting Pitcher James Shields is on the team and if the report that came out today is true that Justin Verlander will not pitch in the All-Star game – then Shields may be the starter.  Shields may have deserved it anyway, but Verlander is the most dominant pitcher in baseball right now and he threw a no-hitter in the 1st half.  And truth be told, Shields is just as well deserving.  James has 13 quality starts in his 15 starts, a record of 7-4 with a 2.40 ERA, 108 K’s and just about a 5:1 K:BB ratio.  Oh yea- and 5 complete games.  Yes – you read that right FIVE!!!  That just doesn’t happen before the All-Star break anymore unless your name is Doc and you pitch of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Just filthy.  And unless Jeremy Hellickson or David Price throw back to back Complete Game Shutouts…Shields will be the only Rays representative for this year’s All-Star game in Arizona.  Kyle Farnsworth may get a look, but it is just doubtful to me that he gets in.

Here is the American League All-Star Balloting as of June 21st, 2011

CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,226,797
Alex Avila, Tigers: 1,730,511
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,341,474
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 1,135,617
Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 980,697

FIRST BASE
Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 3,017,960
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 2,407,665
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,771,893
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 890,468
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 676,194

SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees: 3,664,498
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,239,172
Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,452,880
Orlando Cabrera, Indians: 910,941
Ben Zobrist, Rays: 828,771

THIRD BASE
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 2,876,537
Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,307,380
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,025,438
Evan Longoria, Rays: 1,639,405
Brandon Inge, Tigers: 490,734

SHORTSTOP
Derek Jeter, Yankees: 2,654,040
Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,242,157
Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,513,929
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 875,371
Marco Scutaro, Red Sox: 813,888

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 3,116,578
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,760,195
Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,120,830
Victor Martinez, Tigers: 932,711
Johnny Damon, Rays: 864,535

OUTFIELD
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 4,156,940
Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 3,473,227
Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 2,400,408
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 2,249,323
Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 1,789,097
Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,537,101
Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,462,426
Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,271,843
Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,120,179
J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 1,112,720
Matt Joyce, Rays: 1,038,098
Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 906,983
Grady Sizemore, Indians: 867,281
David Murphy, Rangers: 785,630
Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 764,817

So, Mr. Shields, have a blast at your 1st All-Star game appearance…and if you need someone to work your video recorder for you so you can take everything in – I AM THERE for ya man!!